HOME STUDY PLANT PROPAGATION COURSE
"This is the first correspondence course I have done and I have thoroughly enjoyed it and I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU. I appreciate everyone's effort in such a professionally-run organisation with seamless administration. The office staff's happy can-do attitude, their fast responses to all queries, tutor Shane Gould's quick turnaround in assignment marking and his supportive and motivational feedback and last but not least, the sound subject guides. Most importantly I hope my thanks and appreciation can be communicated to all the staff who have supported me long the way of my learning! I work full time and study on the weekend but really don't stop thinking about what gardening solution I need in order to answer my assignments every day of the week. Thank you for such a great learning experience and I cant wait to start the second half of my course!!"
- Skye
Learn to Propagate plants
- Indulge a passion, or improve your horticultural skills to get a job
- Work in a nursery, start a nursery business
COURSE STRUCTURE
The course is divided into ten lessons as follows:
Duration: 100 hours
WHAT YOU WILL DO IN THIS COURSE
Here are some examples of what you may do:
*Test soils to determine characteristics which would be valuable to management of any given soil in a horticultural situation
*Identify sandy loam, silty loam, and clay loam soils by feel; and pH testing by soil indicator; and relate to plant selection
*Identify and sow a range of different types of seeds, in different situations, in a way that will optimise successful propagation.
*Propagate a range of plants using different vegetative propagation techniques
*Pot up and provide after care for a range of propagated seedlings and cuttings.
*Plant a range of (different types) plant material.
*Maintain the desired growth type and habit for a range of plants.
*Identify significant woody plants including: Trees; Shrubs; Groundcover; & Conifers
*Identify a range of significant plant problems including pests, diseases and others.
*Identify a range of non woody and indoor plants of horticultural significance.
*Conduct a risk assessment of a horticultural workplace to determine safe working practices and select appropriate personal safety clothing and equipment
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
Horticulture Tutors
Diana Cole B.A. (Hons), Higher Dip. (Garden Design), RHS Advanced Cert. Horticulture, Cert Admin.Mgt., Dip. Inst. Personnel Management
In addition to her RHS horticulture, garden design, City & Guild construction, NPTC pesticide/legislation and business/management qualifications, Diana has a variety of skills drawn from setting up Arbella Gardens, a landscape gardening business. She also has administrative, management and training delivery experience drawn from her employment in other organisations such as the NHS and other educational institutions such as schools & universities. She has augmented her training expertise having gained the Preparing to Teach in the Life Long Learning Sector qualification. She also has experience gained through working as a volunteer in a number of different roles including amenity style gardening in parks and practical conservation work.
.Maggi Brown Cert.Ed.(Environment)
Maggi is regarded as an expert in Organic Growing throughout the UK, having worked for two decades as Education Officer at the world renowned Henry Doubleday Research Association (now Garden Organic). She has been active in education, environmental management and horticulture across the UK for more them three decades.
Yvonne Sharpe RHS Cert.Hort, Dip.Hort, M.Hort, Cert.Ed., Dip.Mgt.
Over 30 years of experience in horticulture, education and management, Yvonne hastravelled widely within and beyond Europe, and has worked in many areas of horticulture from garden centres to horticultural therapy. She has served on industry committees and been actively involved with amateur garden clubs for decades.
Thady Barrett M.Hort (RHS) Thady is a consultant to the horticulture industry in the UK, with particular interest in the ornamental plant sector. Previously a senior lecturer at Writtle College for 20 years which included being course tutor for RHS qualifications. Wide ranging practical horticultural experience but with specific interest in propagation techniques and plant production technologies. Member of the International Plant Propagators Society (IPPS) and awarded the Rose Bowl Award in 2009 in recognition of his contribution to the society
Lesson Structure
There are 10 lessons in this course:
-
Introduction to Propagation
-
asexual and sexual propagation
-
plant life cycles
-
nursery production systems
-
Seed Propagation
-
Potting Media
-
Vegetative Propagation I
-
Vegetative Propagation II
-
care of stock plants
-
layering
-
division and other techniques
-
Vegetative Propagation III
-
budding and grafting
-
tissue culture
-
Propagation Structures and Materials
-
greenhouses
-
propagating equipment
-
Risk Management
-
nursery hygiene
-
risk assessment
-
management
-
Nursery Management I
-
plant modification techniques
-
management policies
-
Nursery Management II
-
nursery standards
-
cost efficiencies
-
site planning
-
development
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims
-
Develop the ability to source information on plant propagation, through an awareness of industry terminology and information sources.
-
Plan the propagation of different plant species from seeds, using different seed propagation methods.
-
Plan the propagation of different types of plants from cuttings, using different cutting propagation methods.
-
Plan the propagation of various types of plants using a range of propagation techniques, excluding cuttings and seed.
-
Determine the necessary facilities, including materials and equipment, required for propagation of different types of plants.
-
Determine a procedure to minimise plant losses during propagation.
-
Determine the management practices of significance to the commercial viability of a propagation nursery.
-
Design a propagation plan for the production of a plant.
Tips for Buying Horticultural Tools and Equipment
When you buy equipment or materials for your garden, you usually get what you pay for. The things which do the job well and last are usually the more expensive choices.
A good top of the range pair of secateurs, for example, should last 20 years or more, but a cheap pair may only last one or two years.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN SELECTING AND USING TOOLS AND MACHINES:
* Loose parts: check moving parts in particular, as well as bolts and screws.
* Adequate joins: where parts join (eg: the spade blade to the spade handle) should be
strong enough, and firmly fitted, to withstand the rigours of hard work. For handtools such
as spades, shovels and forks the most likely place for breakages to occur is where the
handle meets the tool head. It is important to ensure that you purchase tools with strong
durable handles, and that these are subsequently well maintained.
* Sharp edges: Newly made, or repaired tools will often have sharp edges that can easily
cut you, particularly if they have been poorly finished off.
* Splinters: Tools with wooden (ie: handles), or fibreglass parts, will often have
splinters, if they have been poorly finished off, or if they have been subsequently
damaged.
* Leaks: Check carefully for evidence of water, petrol, oil or other leaks. If there is
evidence of some sort of leakage, check to see if this simply a result of a loose cap (eg;
petrol cap), a loose connection (eg: on a hose clamp), or if machinery has been
tipped, dropped, etc, during use or transport.
* Wear & Tear: Tools with obvious signs of wear and tear are more likely to break down, or
to operate less efficiently.
* Possibility of obtaining replacement parts if needed.
Quality of Materials:
* Rust/Corrosion: This is a good indicator that the tool or machine has been poorly
maintained or stored.
* Good grip (to ground, hands): Good quality tyres are very important for machinery such
as ride-on mowers, particularly when they are being used on boggy or sloped areas.
Good hand grips are vital to ensure not only safe handling so that tools and machine
won't slip, or get loose from your control, but also to ensure comfortable handling.
* Safety guards: These are extremely important for machines that have parts that could
readily catch or grab you or your clothing; and for machines that are likely to throw up
debris such as stones or wood chips. Safety guards should always be kept in good
condition, and in the correct position while machines are operating.
* Anti-Vibration: Some machines that have high vibration levels (eg: chainsaws,
jackhammers) come with anti-vibration handles. These are not always available on
cheaper models. Such handles help reduce fatigue from trying to hold such machines,
and reduce the likelihood of problems, such as 'White Knuckles' (permanent damage to
the hands) from occurring.
What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?
This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.
If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.
If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.
If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.
There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.
You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “About Us” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Learning” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “About Us” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
